Man United refused Ruben Amorim seven transfer targets before his sacking

"Ruben Amorim was reportedly refused the chance to sign his preferred players by the recruitment team. This revelation comes following Amorim's sacking on Monday morning. While results on the pitch were cited as the primary reason for his exit, relationship with the club hierarchy had completely broken down, specially after his explosive interview post Leeds United draw. Reports from The Sun have also suggested a fractured relationship between the Portuguese manager and the club's hierarchy, specifically regarding recruitment."

"It has emerged that Amorim was denied seven specific transfer targets including a future Champions League winner and a proven Premier League goalscorer in favor of data-driven alternatives that ultimately failed to deliver. According to the report, Ruben Amorim wanted Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins but his request was rejected. Amorim viewed the England international as the ideal Premier League proven hitman to lead his line. Instead, Head of Recruitment Christopher Vivell and the board sanctioned a 74m move for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko."

"The report also claims Amorim was desperate to sign Nuno Mendes from PSG to play as his left wing-back. The board refused, opting for Patrick Dorgu from Lecce instead. Cruelly for Amorim, Mendes went on to win the Champions League with PSG and was named in the 2025 FIFA FIFPRO World 11. The other denied targets included Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez (United signed Senne Lammens instead) and a quartet of Amorim's former Sporting Lisbon stars: Geovany Quenda, Ousmane Diomande, Salvador Blopa, and Morten Hjulmand."

Ruben Amorim was sacked Monday following poor results and a complete breakdown in relations with the club hierarchy after an explosive post-Leeds United draw interview. Club recruitment repeatedly refused Amorim's preferred players, denying seven specific transfer targets in favor of data-driven alternatives that failed to deliver. Amorim sought Ollie Watkins and Nuno Mendes, but the club instead sanctioned a 74m move for Benjamin Sesko and signed Patrick Dorgu, with Sesko scoring two goals in 17 Premier League appearances and Mendes later winning the Champions League and earning a FIFA FIFPRO World 11 place. Other blocked targets included Emi Martinez and four former Sporting Lisbon players.

Read at www.caughtoffside.com